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Eli B. Gbayee with a Liberian flag he keeps on display near a 2017 photograph of him in Liberia. in the living room of‘ his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. Gbayee was in Liberia doing missionary work and helping the blind people shown in the photograph. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee holds a decanter that was hand-decorated by a woman in Liberia who gave it to him which he displays in the living room in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee says the painting hanging in his living room is special and means a lot to him in his home in Atlantic City. "It speaks to me," he said of the image which he purchased in a gallery. "It's not how you start, it's how you finish." Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a Liberian flag on display near a 2017 photograph of him in Liberia. in the living room of` his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. Gbayee was in Liberia doing missionary work and helping the blind people shown in the photograph. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee holds a decanter that was hand-decorated by a woman in Liberia who gave it to him which he displays in the living room in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a photograph of himself when he played soccer for Mulica Township when he first came to the United States in 1999, near a handmade card from his daughter, Rosita, in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a photograph of himself when he played soccer for Mulica Township when he first came to the United States in 1999, near a handmade card from his daughter, Rosita, in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee, in his bedroom, his second “Happy Place”, and hangs one of his favorite paintings in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. He likes that one figure is helping the other, pulling them up. “ it has so much power”, he said. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee with a Liberian flag he keeps on display near a 2017 photograph of him in Liberia. in the living room of‘ his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. Gbayee was in Liberia doing missionary work and helping the blind people shown in the photograph. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee in his living room, the "Happy Place" in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee holds a decanter that was hand-decorated by a woman in Liberia who gave it to him which he displays in the living room in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee looks over a photo album in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee says the painting hanging in his living room is special and means a lot to him in his home in Atlantic City. "It speaks to me," he said of the image which he purchased in a gallery. "It's not how you start, it's how you finish." Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a Liberian flag on display near a 2017 photograph of him in Liberia. in the living room of` his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. Gbayee was in Liberia doing missionary work and helping the blind people shown in the photograph. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

A plaque award to Eli B. Gbayee in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee holds a decanter that was hand-decorated by a woman in Liberia who gave it to him which he displays in the living room in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee enjoys the books in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

A locally purchased decanter of Eli B. Gbayee, in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

A soccer trophy awarded to Eli B. Gbayee in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a photograph of himself when he played soccer for Mulica Township when he first came to the United States in 1999, near a handmade card from his daughter, Rosita, in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a photograph of himself when he played soccer for Mulica Township when he first came to the United States in 1999, near a handmade card from his daughter, Rosita, in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

His bedroom is Eli B. Gbayee second "Happy Place", in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee, in his bedroom, his second “Happy Place”, and hangs one of his favorite paintings in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. He likes that one figure is helping the other, pulling them up. “ it has so much power”, he said. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a photograph of himself with his daughter, Rosita, and religious objects in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

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In 2013, Gbayee returned to Liberia for the first time in 14 years and saw young people struggling as he once did. This experience inspired him to start Hope for Liberia in 2014.

The nonprofit organization has a mission to “provide the poorest communities with food, clothing, potable water and basic supplies, as well as access to medical care and educational opportunities,” according to its website, which also states its motto as: “Together we can give hope.”

“When I come here (the living room), and I see all the things that remind me what I’m doing this for, it just makes me happy,” Gbayee said.

Among the noteworthy items is a picture of running men hanging above his television. He said the artwork represents the mantra: “It’s not how you start, but how you finish.”

While living on the streets in Liberia, Gbayee never thought he would live to be 18, nonetheless settle in America, he said. “But look at where I’m at today,” Gbayee said. “God is using me to bless so many other people.”

Also displayed in the living room is a water bottle cover, made by a woman he met in Liberia as a “thank you” for his volunteer work. Gbayee said whenever he uses it, he thinks about those whom Hope for Liberia has helped.

The Liberian flag, which bears a close resemblance to the American flag, is also draped next to a photograph of one of his many mission trips. Another notable piece is the Helping Young Men Value Each Other (HYVE) plaque Gbayee earned in 2018 from the Atlantic City Police Athletic League.

Gbayee said he also enjoys the living room to video chat, call and text his fiancée, Harriette Pailey, 27, of Liberia. The couple met in Liberia while volunteering. Today, Gbayee considers her a director for the organization. Gbayee also has pictures of his daughter, Rosita, 13, displayed.

In 1999, at 13, Gbayee immigrated to the United States after being reunited with his family, from which he had been separated from during the Liberian civil war. He played soccer and graduated from Absegami High School in 2003, later returning as an assistant boys soccer coach. In 2008, he became a U.S. citizen. In 2009, Gbayee graduated from what is now Stockton University, where he studied hospitality management.

Today, Gbayee is a substitute teacher for local school districts and a commissioner for the Atlantic City Housing Authority, which allows him to help people in low-income housing. Gbayee also visits schools to share his life story.

“To come into a warm home like this is a blessing,” Gbayee said. “I call (America) my heaven on Earth.”

1 of 17

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a photograph of himself with his daughter, Rosita, and religious objects in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee holds a decanter that was hand-decorated by a woman in Liberia who gave it to him which he displays in the living room in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee, in his bedroom, his second “Happy Place”, and hangs one of his favorite paintings in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. He likes that one figure is helping the other, pulling them up. “ it has so much power”, he said. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee with a Liberian flag he keeps on display near a 2017 photograph of him in Liberia. in the living room of‘ his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. Gbayee was in Liberia doing missionary work and helping the blind people shown in the photograph. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee holds a decanter that was hand-decorated by a woman in Liberia who gave it to him which he displays in the living room in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee says the painting hanging in his living room is special and means a lot to him in his home in Atlantic City. "It speaks to me," he said of the image which he purchased in a gallery. "It's not how you start, it's how you finish." Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a photograph of himself when he played soccer for Mulica Township when he first came to the United States in 1999, near a handmade card from his daughter, Rosita, in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a photograph of himself when he played soccer for Mulica Township when he first came to the United States in 1999, near a handmade card from his daughter, Rosita, in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a Liberian flag on display near a 2017 photograph of him in Liberia. in the living room of` his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. Gbayee was in Liberia doing missionary work and helping the blind people shown in the photograph. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Atlantic City man's living room houses Hope For Liberia's mission work

1 of 17

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a photograph of himself with his daughter, Rosita, and religious objects in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee in his living room, the "Happy Place" in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee in his living room, the “Happy Place” in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee holds a decanter that was hand-decorated by a woman in Liberia who gave it to him which he displays in the living room in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee, in his bedroom, his second “Happy Place”, and hangs one of his favorite paintings in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. He likes that one figure is helping the other, pulling them up. “ it has so much power”, he said. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee with a Liberian flag he keeps on display near a 2017 photograph of him in Liberia. in the living room of‘ his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. Gbayee was in Liberia doing missionary work and helping the blind people shown in the photograph. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee looks over a photo album in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee holds a decanter that was hand-decorated by a woman in Liberia who gave it to him which he displays in the living room in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

A soccer trophy awarded to Eli B. Gbayee in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

His bedroom is Eli B. Gbayee second "Happy Place", in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee says the painting hanging in his living room is special and means a lot to him in his home in Atlantic City. "It speaks to me," he said of the image which he purchased in a gallery. "It's not how you start, it's how you finish." Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a photograph of himself when he played soccer for Mulica Township when he first came to the United States in 1999, near a handmade card from his daughter, Rosita, in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a photograph of himself when he played soccer for Mulica Township when he first came to the United States in 1999, near a handmade card from his daughter, Rosita, in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

A plaque award to Eli B. Gbayee in his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

A locally purchased decanter of Eli B. Gbayee, in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee enjoys the books in the living room of his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press

Eli B. Gbayee keeps a Liberian flag on display near a 2017 photograph of him in Liberia. in the living room of` his home in Atlantic City, Monday, March 18, 2019. Gbayee was in Liberia doing missionary work and helping the blind people shown in the photograph. (VERNON OGRODNEK / For The Press)

Welcome to My Happy Place

'My Happy Place' is a Press series in which local notables take us on a tour of a favorite spot in their home. Look for it online and on our Money page on Mondays. Look for a gallery of photos and a video with this story at PressofAC.com.

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